Pigment-based inks for ink-jet printing

ABSTRACT

A neutral gray or black ink and combinations thereof for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black; another colored pigment or pigments such as a combination of cyan and violet pigments; wherein the carbon black and colored pigments are associated with a polymer or polymers which render the carbon black and pigments dispersible in aqueous solution.

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priority from application Ser. No. 10/769,323 filed Jan. 30, 2004 and application Ser. No. 10/828,580 filed Apr. 20, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,979.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to black and gray pigmented inks used to create neutral colors for ink-jet printing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To achieve true silver halide photo quality in inkjet printing, multiple levels of black inks need to be used. Within the black inks, light pigment load (gray ink) is necessary for reducing grain and dot visibility, and high pigment load is necessary for high optical density and high color gamut volume.

In photo printing, carbon black is usually the primary ingredient of black pigmented ink. One fundamental limitation with carbon black is “browning” which is the brownish undertone when it is used at low concentration as in a gray ink. This is especially true with the photo grade carbon black.

One way to treat the problems arising from the use of carbon black in black or gray inkjet ink has been to heavily use composite black throughout the color map. Composite black is conventionally the usage of mixtures of cyan, magenta and yellow inks to create neutral gray colors. Composite black has a known set of issues. Color cast/variations are often seen in shadows and fine lines due to drop weight variation, pen alignment and dot placement errors. Metamerism often occurs. Manufacturing variations in drop weight and ink lead to non-neutral black and white tones and color balance problems. This has in turn required closed loop color correction and/or extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.

Another way to deal with the problems of black and gray ink in inkjet has been to use four tones of gray inks. This provides the customer with different shades of black (e.g., warm neutral, cool neutral, selenium, and carbon sepia). However, these inks have not been suitable for glossy photo printing, because they do not stick to glossy paper and they do not provide gloss. A similar system has been produced with dye-based inks, which has had problems with non-permanence and color issues when printed on a range of media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph in a*b* colorspace showing the browning of two gray inks made of pure carbon black.

FIG. 2 is a graph in a*b* colorspace showing the neutrality of a blended neutral gray ink in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a graph of best fit weight percent of cyan and violet pigments as a function of black weight percent.

FIG. 4 shows a graph of best fit weight percent of cyan and magenta pigment as a function of black weight percent pigment.

FIG. 5 is a graph in a*b* colorspace showing the target point of the blend (an embodiment of the present invention) of K (carbon black), C (cyan pigment) and M (magenta pigment) versus the position of the points of the individual, unblended K, C and M.

FIG. 6 is a graph plotting the reflectance vs. wavelength of light shown on ink-jet printed samples of two inks, a neutral gray (an embodiment of the present invention) and a diluted black.

FIG. 7 is a graph in a*b* colorspace showing the neutrality of a blended neutral gray ink (an embodiment of the present invention).

FIG. 8 is a graph plotting the reflectance vs. wavelength of light shown on ink-jet printed samples of two inks, an ink having a mixture of carbon black, cyan and violet and an ink having only carbon black.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to black and gray ink-jet inks, specifically a set of two gray and one black inks, which when used alone, or in combinations of two or three of the inks, or in combination with conventional cyan, magenta and yellow (CMY), are neutral over a wide media range and illumination type. As non-limiting examples, these inks can be used in 3-ink gray-scale (black & white) printing, 6-ink printing, and 8-ink printing systems. They provide excellent neutrality and reduced browning of carbon black and reduced metamerism of black pigments. Browning is the appearance of a brownish undertone in carbon black due to decreasing absorbtivity with longer wavelength light. Metamerism is the variation in visual response to color under varying illuminants resulting from the non-flat spectral reflectance produced by black and gray pigments. The present invention also significantly improves image quality, especially in shadow detail, open loop neutrality, granularity, and gloss uniformity. These neutral inks provide a solution for black and white printing with a color inkjet device.

To achieve true AgX photo quality, multiple levels of black/gray inks should be used. Light pigment load (gray ink) is necessary for reducing grain and dot visibility, and high pigment load is necessary for high optical density and hence high color gamut volume. Additional levels of gray reduces the perceived grain in the transitions from a lighter to a darker ink.

Carbon black has been conventionally used for black and gray inks in such applications. One fundamental limitation with carbon black is the brownish undertone when it is used at low concentration as in a gray ink. This is especially true with the photo grade carbon black.

In the present invention, a pigment-blend approach is used to make the photo black and gray inks. Blending cyan and magenta or violet pigments into the carbon black at a defined absorbance ratio or at a certain weight percent range will allow the photo black, gray, and light gray inks to be perfectly neutral in shade on paper. In addition, the spectral response of the resultant black or gray ink is significantly flatter than the original straight diluted gray or black ink and has significantly reduced metamerism.

As used herein, neutral black ink means a combination of an ink vehicle with at least carbon black and usually in addition, cyan pigment (C) and either violet pigment (V) or magenta pigment (M). As is seen below, neutral black ink with either KCV or KCM pigments contains the same pigments as neutral light gray ink, neutral dark gray ink and neutral medium gray ink. In other words, as defined in this application, neutral black ink can and sometimes is actually referred to as another shade of neutral gray ink.

It has been found that neutral black, gray and light gray ink can be obtained with one of the following, within a margin of error of +/−10%:

-   1. A neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising:     -   an ink vehicle; carbon black (K); cyan pigment (C) and violet         pigment (V); wherein the weight percent of C=0.2407·(weight         percent of K) and the weight percent of V=0.188·(weight percent         of K). -   2. A neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising:     -   an ink vehicle; carbon black (K); cyan pigment (c) and magenta         pigment (M); wherein the weight percent of C=0.424·(weight         percent of K) and the weight percent of M=0.521·(weight percent         of K). -   3. A neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising a mixture of     at least two of the following inks:     -   a) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle and carbon         black (K);     -   b) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black         (K), cyan pigment (C) and violet pigment (V); wherein the weight         percent of C=0.2407·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent         of V=0.188·(weight percent of K);     -   c) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black         (K), cyan pigment (C) and magenta pigment (M); wherein the         weight percent of C=0.424·(weight percent of K) and the weight         percent of M=0.521·(weight percent of K).

The present invention relates to a neutral blend black ink for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and violet pigment (V)(or magenta pigment (M)). As explained in Example 2 and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the target concentrations for the light, medium, and dark gray inks were fit to a line to predict optimal ratios for any desired concentratration of black pigment. For a KCV blend the optimal ratios were the following: the weight percent of C=0.2407·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of V=0.188·(weight percent of K) with a +/−10% margin of error. For a KCM blend the optimal ratios were the following: the weight percent of C=0.424·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of M=0.521·(weight percent of K) with a +/−10% margin of error. It is also possible to blend neutral gray ink, with either or both of the blends described above to obtain other neutral blends.

The present invention further relates to a neutral black ink for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and magenta pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: magenta pigment for neutral black ink is 0.176:0.075:0.052 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima at 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

The present invention also relates to a neutral black ink for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and violet pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: violet pigment for neutral black ink is 0.200:0.053:0.057 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral medium gray ink, the neutral medium gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and magenta pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: magenta pigment for neutral medium gray ink is 0.035:0.016:0.012 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral medium gray ink, the neutral medium gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and violet pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: violet pigment for neutral medium gray ink is 0.040:0.010:0.010 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral dark gray ink and a neutral light gray ink, the neutral dark gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and magenta pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: magenta pigment for neutral dark gray ink 0.059:0.025:0.017 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25% and the neutral light gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and magenta pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment: magenta pigment for neutral light gray ink is 0.035:0.016:0.012 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral dark gray ink and a neutral light gray ink, the neutral dark gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and violet pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black:cyan pigment:violet pigment for neutral dark gray ink 0.064:0.020:0.018 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25% and the neutral light gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black, cyan pigment and violet pigment; wherein the absorbance ratio of carbon black: cyan pigment: violet pigment for neutral light gray ink is 0.040:0.010:0.010 with values being measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength and each ratio value ranging +/−25%.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carbon black is selected from a group consisting of: FW18, FW2, FW1, FW200 (all manufactured by Degussa Inc.); Monarch 1100, Monarch 700, Monarch 800, Monarch 1000, Monarch 880, Monarch 1300, Monarch 1400, Regal 400R, Regal 330R, Regal 660R (all manufactured by Cabot Corporation); Raven 5750, Raven 250, Raven 5000, Raven 3500, Raven 1255, Raven 700 (all manufactured by Columbia Carbon, Inc.).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cyan pigment is a copper phthalocyanine pigment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cyan pigment is selected from the group consisting of PB15:3, PB 15:4, PB15:6, PB60, PB1, PB2, PB3, PB16, PB22, PB15:34. In a most preferred embodiment the cyan pigment is PB 15:3 or PB15:4.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the violet pigment is a quinacridone pigment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magenta pigment is selected from the group consisting of PR122, PR192, PR202, PR206, PR207, PR209, PR43, PR194, PR112, PR123, PR168, PR184, PR5, PR7, PR12, PR48, PR57, PR57:1. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magenta pigment is PR122.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the violet pigment has a quinacridone or dioxazine based structure.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the violet pigment is selected from the group consisting of PV19, PV42, PV23, PV3, PV19, PV23, PV32, PV36, and PV38. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the violet pigment is PV23.

The present invention also relates to a neutral black ink for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; from 1.500 to 2.500 weight percent carbon black; from 0.638 to 1.063 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.780 to 1.300 weight percent PR122 magenta pigment.

The present invention also relates to a neutral black ink for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; from 1.568 to 2.613 weight percent carbon black; from 0.377 to 0.629 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.295 to 0.491 weight percent PV23 violet pigment.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral medium gray ink, the neutral medium gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.375 to 0.625 weight percent carbon black; from 0.152 to 0.253 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.203 to 0.339 weight percent PR122 magenta pigment.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral medium gray ink, the neutral medium gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.314 to 0.523 weight percent carbon black; from 0.076 to 0.126 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.059 to 0.098 weight percent PV23 violet pigment.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral dark gray ink and a neutral light gray ink, the neutral dark gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.495 to 0.825 weight percent carbon black; from 0.210 to 0.351 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.257 to 0.429 weight percent PR122 magenta pigment; and the neutral light gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.165 to 0.275 weight percent carbon black; from 0.070 to 0.117 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from PR122 0.086 to 0.143 weight percent magenta pigment.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neutral black ink is printed together with a neutral dark gray ink and a neutral light gray ink, the neutral dark gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.517 to 0.862 weight percent carbon black; from 0.124 to 0.207 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.097 to 0.162 weight percent PV23 violet pigment; and the neutral light gray ink comprising: an ink vehicle; from 0.172 to 0.287 weight percent carbon black; from 0.041 to 0.069 weight percent PB15:4 cyan pigment; and from 0.032 to 0.054 weight percent PV23 violet pigment.

When pigmented inks are used, three different blacks are often used: at least two for photo printing (photo black and gray) and one for plain paper application (matte black). Photo black is black ink that is ink-jet printed with maximum effectiveness on photo paper having a glossy surface. Photo black ink has carbon black pigments of a smaller size that matte black, thus making it effective when printed on glossy paper. Matte black ink is black ink that is ink-jet printed with maximum effectiveness on plain paper or photo paper with a matte surface. Matte black ink has larger sized carbon black pigments which enhance its effectiveness for printing on plain paper or photo paper with a matte surface.

As non-limiting examples, the neutral inks of the present invention can be used in a 3-ink, 6-ink, or 8-ink ink set.

An example of a three-ink ink set is as follows:

-   -   For photo printing: Neutral black, neutral dark gray and neutral         light gray.     -   For plain paper: Neutral black, neutral dark gray and matte         black.

An example of a 6-ink ink set is as follows:

-   -   For photo printing: Neutral black, neutral dark gray, neutral         light gray, cyan, magenta (or violet), and yellow. Other         variations include replacing light gray with light magenta;         replacing light cyan and and dark gray with light cyan and light         magenta respectively.     -   For plain paper: Neutral black, neutral dark gray, matte black,         cyan, magenta (or violet), and yellow.

An example of an 8-ink ink set is as follows:

-   -   For photo printing: Neutral black, neutral dark gray, neutral         light gray, cyan, light cyan, magenta (or violet), light magenta         (or light violet), and yellow.     -   For plain paper: Neutral black, neutral dark gray, matte black,         cyan, light cyan, magenta (or violet), light magenta (or light         violet), and yellow.

While blending dyes is a common practice in the inkjet industry, blending pigments is rare and made difficult by particle colloidal stability, but has been achieved in the present invention with pigments that in addition provide high gloss and durability on glossy surfaces. The pigments of the present invention are blended together and made dispersible in aqueous solutions using polymers and specific dispersion systems that are known. As a non-limiting example of one type of such dispersion system, the surface of a pigment and/or carbon black is attached to or associated with a polymer or polymers. Such systems have been described in the following patents or patent applications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,506,240, 6,648,953, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0035110 (all assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation); U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,943 and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2003/0205171 and 2002/0005146 (all assigned to Cabot Corporation); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,614 (assigned to Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.), such descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. As a non-limiting example of another type of such dispersion system, the pigment and/or carbon black is encapsulated by a polymer or polymers. Such systems have been described in the following patents or patent applications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,074,467, 5,741,591, 5,556,583, 4,740,546, and 4,170,582 (all assigned to Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.); and U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0195274 (assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation).

In a preferred embodiment of a dispersion system used in the present invention, the polymer or polymers associated with the surface of a pigment and/or carbon black is an acrylate.

In addition to providing perfect neutrality, reduced browning, and the least metamerism reasonably possible, the blend black and gray inks of the present invention provide a solution for out-of-box black and white printing. The present invention also provides cost saving for printers on closed-loop color calibration. Furthermore, the blended inks significantly improve image qualities, especially in shadow detail and granularity as well as in gloss uniformity. Using blended inks instead of KCMY composite also reduces total ink flux on paper.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A neutral medium gray ink was comprised of a blend of carbon black (0.5 weight percent), cyan pigment (0.202 weight percent PB 15:4), and magenta pigment (0.271 weight percent PR122) together with vehicle. The color of the neutral medium gray ink blend, the dots designated as 213 on the color map, was tested and the result was plotted on a color map shown in FIG. 2.

As a comparative example, FIG. 1 shows the browning of two conventional gray inks, 113 and 115, on a color map. The two gray inks, 113 and 115, were made of pure carbon black. 113 is Epson 2200 Gray and 115 is 1% wt. BP1100. This graph represents the change in the color of the patches as the patches increase in volumes of ink per unit area.

FIG. 2 shows the neutrality of the neutral medium gray ink made as described above. Alternatively, the blend of the present invention can be made to achieve any L* value to satisfy the specific demands of the color map. A broad mixing ratio range in the blend of the present invention can be covered laterally in the “a” and “b” plane of the map and also along the L* axis.

Example 2

A series of inks having several different weight percent compositions of the blends of black, cyan, violet (KCV) and black, cyan, magenta (KCM) pigments were obtained. These inks were then used to print a series of color patches at varying quantities of ink per unit area (0 to 180 ng/300 dpi). The color of these patches was measured using the L*a*b* color space with D50 2 degree illuminant. A theoretical line was drawn through the data from the white point of the media to the desired black point of L*=5, a*=0, b*=−2. The residual from each data point to this theoretical line was calculated. A model was fitted to this residual data using Minitab software to predict the blends that would yield the smallest residuals from the theoretical line. The optimal ratios predicted using the Minitab model were made into inks with the target K (light, medium, dark gray) concentrations and tested. The results show these inks to be neutral. The target concentrations for the light, medium, and dark gray inks were then fit to a line to predict optimal ratios for any desired concentration of black pigment.

Recommended KCV and KCM blend ratios for neutral black pigmented inks were obtained. These data are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 KCV Blends Weight Percent K C V 0.418 0.097 0.071 0.673 0.170 0.108 2.09 0.495 0.395 KCM Blends Weight Percent K C M 0.5 0.202 0.271 2 0.85 1.04

When these weight percent values for both the KCV and KCM blends were graphed with cyan and violet (magenta) weight percent values on one axis and black weight percent values on the other axis, a linear fit was obtained for both blends.

For KCV blend, the graph as shown in FIG. 3 gave the following linear fit: cyan weight percent=0.2407 black weight percent; and violet weight percent=0.188 black weight percent. The points on the graph representing weight values for cyan are shown as squares on line 313. The points on the graph representing weight values for violet are shown as circles on line 315. These values are subject to an error margin of +/−10%.

For KCM blend, the graph as shown in FIG. 4 gave the following linear fit: cyan weight percent=0.424 black weight percent; and magenta weight percent=0.521 black weight percent. The points on the graph representing weight values for cyan are shown as circles on line 415. The points on the graph representing weight values for magenta are shown as squares on line 413. These values are subject to an error margin of +/−10%.

Example 3

A graph, as shown in FIG. 5, was plotted in a*b* colorspace to show the target area of the blend of K (carbon black)(the point 513), C (cyan pigment PB15:4)(the point 519) and M (magenta pigment PR122)(the point 521) versus the position of the points (K=513; C=519; M=521) of the individual, unblended K, C and M. From the points of the unblended K, C and M was defined as a triangle (the perimeter of which is marked 515) within which was the target (the middle of the target indicated as 517) for the neutral blended K, C and M points.

Example 4

Blends of K, C (PB15:4) and M (PR122) were measured for neutrality based on the a*b* colorspace criteria discussed in Example 5. Each blend was identified in terms of both weight percentage composition and absorbance ratio composition. The most neutral blends for two-color print combinations neutral black (photo black) and neutral medium gray and three-color print combinations (neutral black (photo black), neutral dark gray, and neutral light gray) were both obtained. The upper limits and lower limits of the amount of each pigment in the blends was also calculated based on taking +/−25% of the measured center of neutrality for each blend. The values were measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength. The data resulting from the measurements are given below in Tables 2 and 3, which give the data for the two-color and three-color print combinations respectively. In the L*a*b* colorspace, a*=0, and b*=−2. Since the lowest L* possible was desired, L* was taken to be less than 5. Carbon black usage was maximized wherever possible.

TABLE 2 % Pigment in ink Absorbance @ 1/5 K dilution K C M K C M Two levels of black Neutral 2 0.85 1.04 0.176 0.075 0.052 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.5 0.202 0.271 0.035 0.016 0.012 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 embodiment: 500 upper limit Neutral 2.500 1.063 1.300 0.219 0.094 0.066 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.625 0.253 0.339 0.044 0.020 0.015 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 embodiment: 500 lower limit Neutral 1.500 0.638 0.780 0.132 0.057 0.039 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.375 0.152 0.203 0.026 0.012 0.009 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 embodiment: 500 These are the centers, +/− 25% would give a range of each pigment concentration.

TABLE 3 % Pigment in ink Absorbance @ 1/5 K dilution K C M K C M Three levels of black Neutral 2 0.85 1.04 0.176 0.075 0.052 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.660 0.281 0.343 0.058 0.025 0.017 Gray Neutral 0.220 0.094 0.114 0.019 0.008 0.006 Light Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 upper limit Neutral 2.500 1.063 1.300 0.219 0.094 0.066 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.825 0.351 0.429 0.072 0.031 0.022 Gray Neutral 0.275 0.117 0.143 0.024 0.010 0.007 Light Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 lower limit Neutral 1.500 0.638 0.780 0.132 0.057 0.039 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.495 0.210 0.257 0.043 0.019 0.013 Gray Neutral 0.165 0.070 0.086 0.014 0.006 0.004 Light Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 These are the centers, +/− 25% would give a range of each pigment concentration.

Example 5

FIG. 6 plots the reflectance vs. wavelength of light shown on ink-jet printed samples of two inks. One of the inks was a diluted, carbon black-based, black ink (designated as 615) and the other was the preferred embodiment of the present application, a neutral dark gray ink blending carbon black with magenta (PR122) and cyan (PB15:4) pigments and dispersed with a polymer according to the present invention (designated as 613). Based on these values shown in FIG. 6, a ΔE value of 1.58 was obtained for the diluted black ink, compared to a ΔE value of 0.64 for the neutral dark gray ink. ΔE is designed to give a quantitative representation of a perceived color difference between a pair of colored samples. ΔE was calculated using the CIEDE2000 color difference equation (set out in CIE Technical Report ISBN 3 901 906 08 8, CIE142-2001, incorporated herein by reference). Metamerism can be measured in terms of ΔE based on the fact that metamerism is the difference in colors which match each other under one set of light conditions but do not match each other when viewed under another set of light conditions. Specifically, the spectral data was converted into L*a*b* measurements assuming D50 (representing daylight at 5000 degrees Kelvin) and then F11 (representing a broad bright daylight fluorescent source) illuminants and the ΔE between the two values was computed with the aforementioned CIEDE2000 equation. As a measurement of metamerism, a ΔE value of 1 for grays and blacks represents roughly a just barely noticeable difference in color to a naked human eye. Therefore, the above data as embodied in FIG. 6 demonstrate that the gray ink of the present invention has less metamerism than a having conventional black ink.

Example 6

Blends of K, C (PB15:4) and V(PV23) were measured for neutrality based on the L*a*b* colorspace criteria discussed in Example 5. Each blend was identified in terms of both weight percentage composition and absorbance ratio composition. The most neutral blends for two-color print combinations neutral black (photo black) and neutral medium gray and three-color print combinations (neutral black (photo black), neutral dark gray, and neutral light gray) were both obtained. The upper limits and lower limits of the amount of each pigment in the blends was also calculated based on taking +/−25% of the measured center of neutrality for each blend. The values were measured at 1/5K dilution, peak maxima between 400–700 wavelength. The data resulting from the measurements are given below in Tables 4 and 5, which give the data for the two-color and three-color print combinations respectively. For the L*a*b* colorspace, a*=0, and b*=−2. Since the lowest L* possible was desired, L* was taken to be less than 5. Carbon black usage was maximized wherever possible.

TABLE 4 % Pigment in ink Absorbance @ 1/5 K dilution K C V K C V Two levels of black Neutral 2.090 0.423 0.585 0.182 0.047 0.083 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.418 0.090 0.135 0.036 0.010 0.019 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 upper limit Neutral 2.613 0.629 0.491 0.227 0.059 0.104 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.523 0.126 0.098 0.045 0.012 0.024 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 lower limit Neutral 1.568 0.377 0.295 0.136 0.035 0.062 Black (Photo Black) Neutral 0.314 0.076 0.059 0.027 0.007 0.014 Medium Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak maxima peak maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 These are the centers, +/− 25% would give a range of each pigment concentration.

TABLE 5 % Pigment in ink Absorbance @ 1/5 K dilution K C V K C V Three levels of black Neutral 2.090 0.423 0.585 0.182 0.047 0.083 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.690 0.140 0.193 0.060 0.015 0.027 Gray Neutral 0.230 0.047 0.064 0.020 0.005 0.009 Light Gray Wavelenth (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 upper limit Neutral 2.613 0.629 0.491 0.227 0.059 0.104 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.862 0.207 0.162 0.075 0.019 0.034 Gray Neutral 0.287 0.069 0.054 0.025 0.006 0.011 Light Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 lower limit Neutral 1.568 0.377 0.295 0.136 0.035 0.062 Black (Photo Black) Neutral Dark 0.517 0.124 0.097 0.045 0.012 0.021 Gray Neutral 0.172 0.041 0.032 0.015 0.004 0.007 Light Gray Wavelength (nm) Generally: 500 peak peak maxima maxima between between 400–700 400–700 Preferred 615 535 Embodiment: 500 These are the centers, +/− 25% would give a range of each pigment concentration.

Example 7

FIG. 7 plots the reflectance vs. wavelength of light shown on ink-jet printed samples of two inks. One of the inks was a diluted, carbon black-based, black ink (designated as 717) and the other was the preferred embodiment of the present application, a neutral dark gray ink blending carbon black with violet (PV23) and cyan (PB15:4) pigments and dispersed with a polymer according to the present invention (designated as 715). This mixture provides that a*=0.1 and b*=0.7 under D50 light conditions. Based on these values shown in FIG. 7, it was determined that the optimal mixture for this combination of pigments was: 37.2 parts light gray; 2.7 parts light cyan and 1 part violet. Specifically, the spectral data was converted into L*a*b* measurements assuming D50 (representing daylight at 5000 degrees Kelvin). Therefore, the above data as embodied in FIG. 8 demonstrate that the gray ink of the present invention has noticeably less browning than a conventional black ink.

Example 8

Various proportions of a blend of carbon black, violet and cyan used to achieve a neutral medium gray ink were tested and the results were plotted as dots designated as 813 (neutrality target), 815 (pure black), 817 (increasing violet), 819 (increasing cyan), and 821 (maximum cyan and violet) on the color map. The map is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the positions of the various blends of carbon black, cyan and violet of the neutral medium gray ink as dots on the color map. With carbon black alone, the dots (815) congregated near the top slightly to the right on the a* axis. As cyan was added to the carbon black, the dots (819) tended to shift in a diagonal NE to SW direction on the map. As violet was added to the carbon black, the dots (817) tended to shift diagonally NW to SE. As an optimal blend is reached the position of the dots (813) on the map is close to a*=0; b*=−2, the neutrality target. As maximum cyan and violet were added, the dots (821) shifted to the bottom of the map. 

1. A neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising a mixture of at least two of the following inks: a) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle and carbon black (K); b) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and violet pigment (V); wherein the weight percent of C=0.2407·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of V=0.188·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%; c) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and magenta pigment (M); wherein the weight percent of C=0.424·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of M=0.521·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%.
 2. An ink set wherein at least one ink is a neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising a mixture of at least two of the following inks: a) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle and carbon black (K); b) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and violet pigment (V); wherein the weight percent of C=0.2407·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of V=0.188·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%; c) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and magenta pigment (M); wherein the weight percent of C=0.424·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of M=0.521·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%.
 3. A method of printing gray, black and neutral areas with decreased browning and metamerism in ink-jet printing, comprising: printing on a medium with an ink set of neutral black ink and at least one ink selected from the group consisting of neutral medium gray ink, neutral dark gray ink, neutral light gray ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, light cyan ink, light magenta ink, red ink, green ink, blue ink, violet ink and orange ink; wherein at least one ink is a neutral black ink for ink jet printing, comprising a mixture of at least two of the following inks: a) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle and carbon black (K); b) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and violet pigment (V); wherein the weight percent of C=0.2407·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of V=0.188·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%; c) a neutral black ink comprising an ink vehicle; carbon black (K), cyan pigment (C) and magenta pigment (M); wherein the weight percent of C=0.424·(weight percent of K) and the weight percent of M=0.521·(weight percent of K) with each weight percent number having an error margin of +/−10%. 